Our Trustees
The Trust is currently governed by a board of 11 independent trustees, chaired by Robert Leask.
Our trustees are responsible for setting strategy, monitoring performance of the Trust and acting in the best interests of the people of Shetland.
Appointed as a trustee in 2019, Robert is the Managing Director of a small consultancy business and works between Lerwick and Edinburgh. He brings extensive senior level experience from both the public and private sectors, including significant procurement and commercial roles within the Scottish Government. His background reflects a long career spent strengthening organisational performance and governance. Robert was born and raised in Shetland.
Ryan, who joined SCT in 2022, is a Welding Engineer and Contracts Manager at Malakoff Ltd and lives in Lerwick. With a career rooted in marine engineering and boat building, he offers practical industry insight and has previously contributed his skills to Shetland Arts Development Agency. His experience makes him a valuable voice on operational and technical matters. Ryan is also involved in community groups around Nesting, where he was brought up.
Appointed as a trustee in 2019, Ryan works as a Port Controller with Lerwick Port Authority and is soon to be Guizer Jarl in Lerwick’s Up-Helly-Aa. He chairs the Trust’s Audit & Governance Advisory Committee, reflecting his steady and methodical approach to oversight. Ryan’s background gives him deep familiarity with Shetland’s marine environment and the importance of community-led initiatives.
Appointed in 2022, Ewen is the Director of CASE Shetland Ltd and lives in Bigton. He runs a civil and structural engineering firm and brings wide ranging expertise across the construction and built environment sectors. His technical knowledge and practical project experience support the Trust’s work on infrastructure related considerations.
Aaron, appointed in 2022, is a Chartered Actuary working at Lloyds Banking Group and lives in Lerwick. His current and previous role as advisor to pension scheme trustees and corporate sponsors, gives him strong insight into long term financial planning and risk management. His professional capacity supports the Trust’s focus on responsible investment and ongoing disbursement.
Appointed in 2022, Susan is a chartered accountant from Scalloway. Before her retirement, she served as Director of Finance and Corporate Services at Hjaltland Housing Association, where she led financial management in the housing sector. Her long experience in organisational finance brings clarity and assurance to the Trust’s scrutiny of resources. In her spare time, Susan volunteers at Scalloway Museum.
Emma, appointed as trustee in 2019, is the owner of Realta Events Management and lives in Yell. She has built a strong reputation for delivering major local events and projects, having played key roles in events such as Shetland Wool Week, Shetland Boat Week and the Tall Ships Races; and managing partnerships such as Living Lerwick, the town centre Business Improvement District. Her work blends strategic organisation with a genuine passion for community centred activity.
Appointed in 2023, Beth is Director of Research, Enterprise & Impact at UHI Shetland. She is also recognised as a leading scientist in Shetland’s marine environment, particularly in relation to wild shellfish stocks and fisheries management. Her research background and strategic perspective contribute an evidence based dimension to the Trust’s work.
Jim, appointed in 2023, is a retired vet from Aith with deep roots in Shetland’s rural community. Earlier in his career, he established a multi branch veterinary practice that employed more than twenty people across the isles. His long professional connection to local agriculture and community wellbeing informs his contribution as a trustee.
Neil, appointed in 2023, is a retired solicitor and consultant based in Gulberwick. He previously served as Director of Administration at Shetland Islands Council before returning to private practice, when he set up and successfully ran his own private law firm based in Lerwick. He is currently a consultant with Anderson Strathern law firm and specialises in property, crofting and contractual work. Neil’s legal background and understanding of local governance strengthens the Trust’s decision making
Appointed in 2025, Andy is the Director of Natura Investment Advisors. Originally from the Borders, he now lives in the Scalloway area with his young family. His professional focus is in natural capital investment advisory work, and he brings valuable financial perspective to the Trust.
Testimonials
The funding COPE Ltd receives from the Shetland Charitable Trust supports us in many ways. It allows us to develop and maintain a strong foundation to our core business and assists us to provide on-going employment skill development opportunities to people with disabilities living within Shetland. COPE Ltd highly values the support provided to our organisation by The Shetland Charitable Trust.
“The substantial grant made to us by Shetland Charitable Trust every year allows us to provide first-class facilities and dedicated staff to underpin sporting success among people of all ages and abilities in the islands.”
Having this core funding from the Charitable Trust means that we can use that money where we need it at any given time. It's multi-year funding which really takes the pressure off. To have the funding to keep going is really important as it is improving the lives of disabled folk in Shetland.
The funding that we get from the Charitable Trust pays for part of staff support and matching with other funders. Without local funders we wouldn't have national funders, and without either of those funders, we wouldn't be able to do this, so funding from the Shetland Charitable Trust is incredibly important.
The funding Shetland Arts gets from Shetland Charitable Trust is about making sure the organisation can thrive, access other funds, and deliver on behalf of the community of Shetland. Our funding from the Shetland Charitable Trust really helps us with our conversations with national funders because it shows that we're working on behalf of what the local objectives and priorities are.
The Access to Leisure scheme was introduced to allow folk to be able to get access to classes and activities for a lower cost. I feel that the SRT play a critical role in every community across Shetland and that's all down to the funding of the Shetland Charitable Trust that we're able to maintain that.
Unpaid carers do an amazing job looking after people 24/7 in their own homes, keeping them living at home safely, and they really need help to do that. Thanks to the funding from Shetland Charitable Trust, we've been able to employ a deputy manager, recruit more care attendants, and provide overnights. We're also really grateful for the funding because it means that everybody can get the service for free.
